“A mere five thousand pounds at age five, nothing else. I think your father wanted to assure that you and Mr. Jordan kept trying for success, so to speak.”
Did Colin know this?
With the money I’d overheard that he owed, he should have believed this baby was a boy. The payment would have been his, not something from me helping him, as he put it. It would have settled his debts. “Would this money come from the trusts Papa set up for my control?”
“No, the payment was separate. There are more inheritances that come from the Strathmore side of the family, investments that can’t be touched for some years. Upon Jordan’s death, the baby’s money goes to his guardian, as does control of Lionel’s fortune until he is of age.”
Markham would get it.
I bristled on the seat, my heart pounding louder and louder—malicious, malevolent, muckraker. My husband’s dying in December kept rewarding his horrible uncle from the grave.
Suddenly, so thirsty, I tried to extinguish my tongue with the tea, but a sea couldn’t quench my soul. It was on fire, burning me.
“The Duke of Repington is your son’s true guardian. I believe Markham delayed giving the child up to get the payment that is due next month. It’s good the duke has assumed custody.”
“How do I regain my son?”
“We need proof of Markham’s scheme.” With her sherry eyes softening, the countess clasped my hand. “To put it bluntly, no one is going to believe you were his victim, not without proof. The prejudices against you being foreign, a mulatto, a Blackamoor, a woman, a widow are insurmountable. If it’s found out that you’re gallivanting in men’s clothes and breaking into homes, you’ll be sent back to Bedlam.”
“There has to be hope. I survived thus far. I’ve not lost my wits. That has to mean something.”
The countess whispered something to Athena and set the snowball onto the table. The kitty came to me, meowed, then licked my fingers. The touch was soft and calming like Lionel’s coos the first night I snuck into Hamlin and he remembered me, remembered how to suckle.
“Please don’t tell me to give up, Countess. I cannot.”
“Never, Patience. We don’t quit. We must gain the duke’s trust. He’s a good man. Once the duke was informed of your husband’s death and the existence of a child, he’s been in dogged pursuit of Lionel. The man is logical but skeptical. He’ll believe the worst, no matter what his charming face says. Since he needs servants, you and Mrs. St. Maur will masquerade as such in Hamlin. You’ll gain his trust while searching for evidence against Markham.”
“Evidence? But hasn’t Mrs. Kelly been able to find something?”
“No. Between the little time she was allowed to care for Lionel and avoiding Markham’s flirtations, she’s found nothing. It was a difficult time, and next month is the anniversary of her husband’s death.”
Lusty, awful Markham would say or do all manner of things to try to have an advantage over a woman. “I must thank Mrs. Kelly, but do you think someone shrewd like Markham left evidence?”
The countess sat back, sliding her pearls in her palm. “He hasn’t left Hamlin, even though he knew the duke was searching for him. There has to be something in Hamlin he’s hiding.”
Did my future with Lionel depend upon finding a secret in a house filled with secret things? Slumping forward, I laid my head on the table on a darkened spot that may have been marred by a hot soup pot. “You think it will still be there when Markham is kicked out of Hamlin?”
“Trust me. There’s something there. And knowing the duke, Markham will be lucky to leave with his cloak. He’ll shake him upside down to make sure no silver fork leaves.”
Hope stirred in my heart. I wanted vindication more than vengeance.
The Angora wiggling around my head, her tailless bottom wagging, brought a small lift to my lips that had seemed cemented into a frown. I shooed her toward the countess. “I’ll do as you say. Being close to Lionel is my priority.”
Lady Shrewsbury made atsksound with her teeth, and the fluffy kitten trotted, then jumped into the countess’s lap. “Return to Hamlin as a servant, care for your son, and find the evidence we need to prove Markham’s guilt.”
“If there weren’t guards, I’d run back to Hamlin now and grab Lionel and escape.”
“Listen to me very carefully, Patience. The duke hunted down Markham. He’ll chase you and reclaim his cousin’s son. Then he’ll have you committed or imprisoned. He has the power to do this. All male guardians do.”
The countess shook her head, curl papers bobbing as she stood with Athena. “I know you want to flee. I’ve felt your desperation in my own head. If we do things the right way, you’ll be restored custody. You’re one of mine, Patience Jordan. I won’t let you run.”
Lady Shrewsbury stashed Athena in the crook of her arm. “Your son needs you in Hamlin. I’ll take you in the morning and use my influence with the duke to get you hired as a wet nurse and nanny. While you care for your son, you’ll gain the man’s confidence, and I know you will find the tools to expose Markham. The evidence may even give you peace on Jordan’s suicide. I’ve heard your nightmares. You have no peace.”
Could there be another reason than me, my worsening Colin’s depression? I scooped up the teapot and readied to dry the leaves. “I’ll clean up here and put away the cups.”
“This masquerade will work. Get some sleep. Things always look better in the morning.”
Kissing her kitty, Lady Shrewsbury moved to the door. “I expect to see you in the morning, Mrs. Jordan. I hope you’ll be here.”
